But you sound like you need a new job before you need a new liver. Srsly.

THIS!!!!

I did what your doing for 15yrs. Never again. Sadly, even though Alcohol momentarily takes the stress away, it will greatly deplete your abitlity to deal with the stress the next day. If you like what your doing then stop with the Alcohol. It ain't helping!!!

Mindgarden said, "Get on the bike and climb a really nasty hill."This is so true. you need serious aerobics... something that will help you flush your system of the stress!

hauptstimme saidHow the hell do any of you relax when you get home from stressful days?

For me, it came to the point where I had to quit my job for what it was doing to me physically and mentally. I was a restaurant manager for a while, and with the insane hours and ridiculous, undeserved stress that job brings (man, people are bitches about their steak...who threatens someone's life because their sirloin came out medium well instead of medium?), I just could not manage to find a proper work/life balance.

My 5 days on would consist of me waking up, getting ready for work, commuting to work, working/resisting the urge to lock myself in the liquor room and kill a bottle of Jack, going home, and passing out. No time to unwind, maybe getting 5-6 hours of sleep before being up the next day to bash my head against a brick wall for no thanks and no money all over again. My days off, all I did was sleep...and maybe go out until my liver threatened to give it's two weeks. I couldn't find time for the gym, or to prepare any healthy meals, so my physical AND mental health began to suffer...and I did not see it changing any time soon.

I started looking for a new job, and told my boss (regional manager) so he would not be blindsided. He listened and understood, and offered me the chance to step down and go back to serving/bartending while I look for a new career, which I took. Right now, even though I'm "just a waiter and bartender", I'm a THOUSAND times happier and healthier than I was with a more "prestigious" career as a manager. I've been back in the gym for some time, and my diet is better and more consistent.

If it is your passion, you may find the stress worth it. However, if it gets to the point I got to or how you've described, it may be time to re-evaluate your career.